Wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit being substantially a four piece assembly and consisting of a main support frame with an integral lower rearwardly projecting cover shell having a front opening defining a receptacle compartment, upper front and rear cover shells in opposite and opposed relation releasably secured to the main support frame defining a power compartment and a front access door for the receptacle compartment front opening. The front cover shell of the power compartment is characterized by being outwardly protruding from the main support frame and having a downwardly oriented bottom surface within which there is provided a vacuum hose receptacle. Conduit means are provided to be communicant with the receptacle compartment and with the downwardly disposed hose receptacle. A mounting frame to which is mounted the main support frame, after the former is initially installed in an opening provided in the wall, is provided to be adjustably installed to compensate for wall thickness and insure flush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wall surface upon final installation.

United States Patent [1 1 Jan. 8, 1974 WALL MOUNTED VACUUM CLEANER UNITAND METHOD OF INSTALLATION Jacob C. M01, Grand Rapids, Mich. [73]Assignee: Wal Vac, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. [22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1972[21] App]. No.: 217,890

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.37,211, May 14,

1970, abandoned.

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-J-larvey C. Hornsby Assistant ExaminerC. K. MooreAttorneyCarothers and Carothers [5 7] ABSTRACT A wall mounted vacuumcleaner unit being substantially a four piece assembly and consisting ofa'main support frame with an integral lower rearwardly projecting covershell having a front. opening defining a receptacle compartment, upperfront and rear cover shells in opposite and opposed relation releasablysecured to the main support frame defining a power compartment and afront access door for the receptacle compartment front opening. Thefront cover shell of the power compartment is characterized by beingoutwardly protruding from the main support frame and having a downwardlyoriented bottom surface within which there is provided a vacuum hosereceptacle. Conduit means are provided to be communicant with thereceptacle compartment and with the downwardly disposed hose receptacle.

A mounting frame to which is mounted the main support frame, after theformer is initially installed in an opening provided in the wall, isprovided to be adjustably installed to compensate for wall thickness andinsure flush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wallsurface upon final installation.

20 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PMENIEBJAH 8 m4 3783472 sum 2 OF 6'INVENTOR. JACOB 0. MOL.

BY M' PATENTEDJM 8 I974 SHEET 5 BF 6 PATENTEU JAN 8 I974 SIEH 6 OF 6WALL MOUNTED VACUUM CLEANER UNIT AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION CROSSREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part ofpatent application Ser. No; 37,211, filed May 14, 1970, and nowabandonecl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION flexible conduit connection between ambulantair draft applying means and relatively stationary air pump or supplywhich are generally referred to as central vacuum cleaning systems(15-314).

Central vacuum cleaning systems are by no means new in the art asevidenced by their disclosure in art in the early part of this century.These systems generally involved a single station vacuum supply andreceptacle supply with a plurality of conduits supplied to various roomsof a building, each terminating in a hose receptacle. Thus, each roomcould be cleaned by insertion of a hose assembly into the hosereceptacle in the room and activating the vacuum supply system. The hoseas sembly could be moved from room to room for use with otherreceptacles.

More recently some central cleaning systems have taken on a new look inthe manner that they are compact so as to include the vacuumsupply,bagreceptacle and hose receptacle in one unit with the unit installed inan opening prepared in a wall in oneof the rooms of a building. Also, anadditional inlet conduit can be supplied for a remote hose receptacle inanother room of the building. Such a unit, referred to as a wallrecessed cleaning system, is generally much easier to install, not

requiring the skills of special servicemen, and is conve nient tomaintain.

Such a wall recessed cleaning unit is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,422,482(15-614) where the unit is installed in an open area of the wall so thata substantial portion of the unit is recessed in the wall and hiddenfrom view. The unit comprises-a power compartment housing a vacuum pumpand drive motor and a receptacle com partment housing a receptacle bag;all of this together with conduit means havingone end portion leadinginto the receptacle compartment and the other end portion leading to ahose receptacle on the front face of the unit.

One of the main problems encountered with these units is their aestheticappearance, since the unit is to be installed in a room of the buildingwhere its front portion is readily in view to those in the room.Particularly in an office building or home, there is a need for the faceof such units to be aesthetically attractive so as not to detract fromthe general appearance of the room. In view of the fact that the hosereceptacle must naturally be positioned on the front face of the unit,it detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the unit, since thereceptacle itself is not considered as attractive to the eye whenappearing on a wall of the room or positioned on the front face of theunit. Thus, many at-v tempts have been made in the past to dress up theunsightly hose receptacle and to make its appearance more attractive onthe front face of the unit. However, all these attempts actually fail tosuccessfully a'ccomplish this purpose because the hose receptacle stillmust remain and be positioned on the front face of the unit.

Another problem encountered with these units, and a more importantconsideratiom is the fact that since these units arecompact andinstalled in a single room, it is necessary to provide a long vacuumhose assembly for floor cleaning purposes so that the. unit can be usedto clean. other rooms in the building, other than the room in which theunit is installed, such as illustrated in FIG; 1 of US. Pat. No.3,422,482. The hose of such hose assemblies are as long as 30 feet,which is an added factor in that the user positioned at the cleaningnozzleimust move andpullthe hosealongas he or she 1 moves about the.room or an adjacent room being cleaned. Obviously, this is not a factorencountered by users of portable vacuum cleaners.

Thus, any provisions that can be. made to aid one in the use andemployment of such long hose assemblies when moving about theroom forcleaning purposes and also to prevent as much as possible any wear andtear on thehose assembly when being so used and employed 1 areconsidered and being sought so as 'to improve the overall utility ofwall recessedvacuum cleaning systems.

SUMMARY OF THE. INVENTION The principalobject of the present inventionis the. provision of a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit which isaesthetically attractive, eliminating the normal appearance of the hosereceptacle on. the front face of the unit, while at the same timepositioning the hose receptacle such as to aid the user in themanipulation of the long hose assembly while reducingwear and tear onthe V hose assembly, particularly at the point of the hose assemblyconnection to the hose receptacle on the unit.

In particular, the unit comprising this invention is so constructed thata portion of the front face of the. unit, particularly an upper portionthereof, is outwardly projected 'to provide for a downwardly orientedbottom surface that extends forwardly beyond the plane or main exteriorsurface of the unit that is substantially flush with the wall uponinstallation of the unit. A hose receptacle is provided in this bottomsurface and conduit means is provided to have one end portion extendedinto the receptacle compartment and its other end portion disposeddownwardly within the outwardly prpjecting portion of the unit to becommunicant with the hose receptacle.

In this manner, upon connection of the hose connector of the hoseassembly upwardly into the hose receptacle, the hose will be naturallydirected downwardly to the floor and not outwardly as in the case of US.Pat. No. 3,422,482. In this regard, two important advantages arerecognized. First, when the hose assembly is being used in an extensivecleaning application, which is not uncommon, the constant tugging andjerking on the hose due to reciprocating motion of the vacuum nozzle bythe user will not bring about excessive bending and ultimate wear at thepoint where the hose assembly is connected to the hose receptacle. Thisis particularly true with respect to the point where the hose connectoris securedto one end of the long hose. It can be readily understood thatsuch hose stress much reduced where the hose receptacle is positioned todirect the hose assembly initially to the floor area of the room ascompared to the hose receptacle which directs the hose assemblyinitially horizontally out from the wall and thus, at some point,depending upon the length of the hose connector and strength of thehose, must curve downwardly to the floor area. 7

Also, less stress or pulling strain is placed upon the hose receptacleand associated conduit means where they are adapted to be in adownwardly disposed position and not in an outwardly disposed horizontalposition like those of the prior art.

In regard to what has just been said, naturally in the case where thelong hose assembly is connected to a downwardly disposed hose receptacleon the unit, more of the weight of the hose is placed on the floor andnot at all on the hose receptacle.

Secondly, since the unit is installed in the wall several inches f omhefl qlsqsh. as 18 whsso more the downwardly oriented hose receptacle isnot normally visible to persons in the room where the unit has beeninstalled, so that persons unfamiliar with the unit do not know thepurpose of the unit, or for that matter are not conscious of itsexistence because of its improved aesthetic appearance. The unit, thoughpartially exposed into the room, does not detract aesthetically from itssurroundings, but rather blends with them. None of the actualfunctioning components are normally visible, particularly no vacuuminlets or exhaust outlets; but the hose assembly can be readily attachedfor cleaning purposes.

The compactness of the unit and its ability to be substantially recessedwithin a wall with an improved aesthetic appearance makes itparticularly attractive for mobile homes, apartments and condominiums,as well as new and existing regular residential dwellings and commercialbuildings because of its ease of installation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a wallmounted vacuum cleaner unit being of a four piece assembly consisting ofa main support frame having an integral lower rearwardly projectingcover shell defining a front opening forming a receptacle compartment,an outwardly protruding front cover shell, an outwardly protruding rearcover shell, these shells forming a power compartment and an access doorfor hermetically sealed engagement with the receptacle compartmentopening. These components of the unit can be readily fabricatedindividually and rapidly interconnected for assembly during manufactureor even during the time of installation, if necessary, such as in theconstruction of a new building. The four pieces of the assembly arereleasably connected together, making it readily simple to remove themfor any necessary inspection or repair to housed components. The fourpiece assembly houses all components included in the unit, and yetprovides the features set forth in the initial object of invention. Anysuitable material may be used for the construction of the four pieceassembly, but the strong, durable and practically unbreakable materialknown under the trademark LEXAN, a polycarbonate, is preferred.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a mountingframe to-which the main support frame of the unit is attached, whereinthe mounting frame includes two frame sides each having a front face anda side face and provided with a pluralt iy of elongated slots to permitinitial selective directional adjustment and orientation when mountingthe mounting frame in a wall and also when securing the main supportframe finally to the mounting frame. In this manner, a new and improvedmethod of installing the unit in an opening or recess in the wall isprovided to (a) permit adjustment of the mounting frame relative to theexterior surface of the wall to compensate for wall thickness and insureflush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wall surfaceupon final installation; and (b) permit adjustment of the main supportframe relative to the mounting frame to obtain proper aligned relationas well as to insure adequate and complete coverage of the wall opening,if necessary.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a hosereceptacle to include a spring biased flap pivotally secured so as to beadapted to cover the inlet of the receptacle but providing on itsunderside surface an outwardly extended projection adapted to engageunder an annular ridge of the hose connector of the hose assembly uponinsertion of the hose connector into the hose receptacle inlet. Sincethe hose connector is in a downwardly oriented position when connected,the combination of the spring biased flap with its projection maintainedagainst the hose connector under the hose connector ridge eliminatesaccidental removal of the hose connector when in use. However, it shouldbe understood that with sufficiently snug or tight engagement of thehose connector within the hose receptacle and associated conduitprovided for by close tolerances of those parts, the biased projectionon the flap is more than sufficient assurance against any accidentaldisconnection. Further, the employment of this type of simple assuranceeliminates the need for common interconnecting locking means, such asbayonet interlocking disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,088,484 (137-360), forthe hose receptacle and hose connector, which merely add to the costs ofmanufacture and frustrations in providing for simple, convenient andrapid hose connection.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following description andclaims.

The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplificationwithout limiting the invention or the claims thereto, certain practicalembodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the exposed portion of thevacuum cleaner unit comprising this invention as it appears mounted in awall.

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the unit in FIG. 1, shownwith a suction hose assembly connected for use.

FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of a portion of the apparatusshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, detailing the area of the hose receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, exploded view of the unit.

FIG. 5 is a front fragmentary elevational view taken along the line VVof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the main support memberillustrated in the center of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the main support frame of theunit.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the power compartment rear cover shell of theunit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the conduit and hoseconnector of the unit as installed.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one type of mountingmeans to which the unit is mounted for installation in a wall.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII- XII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective, exploded view of the unit and of asomewhat modified design as compared to the unit shown in the previousfigures.

FIG. 14 is a back perspective, exploded view of the unit shown in FIG.13 but also including an improved mounting frame for the unit.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the hose connector of the hoseassembly engaged into the hose receptacle and associated conduit.

FIG. 16 shows the mounting frame shown in FIG. 14 initially installed inan opening or recess provided in a wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to thedrawings, particularly FIGS. 1, 2, 13 and 14, wherein the vacuum cleanerunit consists of the housing means 12 forming an upper power compartment22 and a lower receptacle compartment 24. The unit is composedessentially of a four piece assembly including a main support frame 14,a rear power cover shell 16, a front power cover shell 18, and areceptacle compartment access door 20. There is also a lower rearwardlyprojecting cover shell 14a enclosing the rear of the receptaclecompartment 24, but this is an integral part of the main support frame14. It should be noted that the front and rear cover shells 16 and 18form the vacuum power compartment 22.

Main support frame 14 includes a peripheral flange 14b which extendsperipherally beyond all of the other components of the housing for flushengagement with the front surface of a room wall W when the unit ismounted as illustrated in FIG. 4.

All of the components of the vacuum cleaner unit 10 are attached to themain support frame 14, with this frame in turn being mounted to the wallstructure by means of a mounting support usually between a pair ofvertical studs in a wall. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12,the unit is mounted between conventional wall studs identified at S andS wherein the main support frame 14 is illustrated in phantom. Frame 14is actually attached to a pair of elongated angle brackets 30 and 30,these brackets being attached to the studs S and S, with suitablefasteners to provide a support therebetween for the vacuum unit 10.Suitable screws or other fasteners extend through a plurality ofopenings 34 in each of the opposite sides of main support frame 14 shownin FIG. 7 adjacent the peripheral flange 14b and are aligned withcooperative openings 36 provided in brackets 30 and 30' shown in FIG.11.

An electrical motor 38 is mounted in the power compartment 22 and isoperably connected to a vacuum pump 40 immediately therebelow in thesame compartment. The motor and pump assembly are secured in position bya semicircular bracket 42 shown in FIGS. 5 and 13 to frame 14 by anysuitable fasteners, with pump 40 resting inside the upwardly open cupshaped hollow portion 14c of frame 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14. Pump40 has an intake or inlet at its lower end of conventional type, withits lower end resting upon an annular gasket 44 that rests upon ledge14d depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6 and surrounds the pump inlet to seal itsperiphery. Beneath this pump is a grill l4e, shown both in FIGS. 6 and9, defining passages to enable the pump inlet to be communicant with therefuse bag receptacle chamber 25 of the receptacle compartment24..Immediately beneath this grill is a pair of slide tracks 14f toenable a supplemental or secondary filter 99, usually in the form ofnatural or synthetic batting, to slide into the tracks beneath thecovering of the grill 146. Such a filter 99 is shown installed in FIG.13.

Motor 38 is of the conventional type, normally cou pled to pump 40, andhaving an air flow connection with the pump such that the air drawn upby pump 40 from receptacle chamber 24 passes through the pump and isexhausted up through the motor and out its upper end through the grid16b of the rear cover shell 16 shown in FIGS. 8 and 14. Adjacent andsurrounding this upper exhaust outlet of motor 38 is an annular gasketor sea] 48 shown best in FIGS. 4 and 13. Gasket 48 seals against and isheld in place by the upper inside surface of removable, connectable,hollow, rear cover shell 16. Shell 16 is open on. the front and bottom,being closed on the back, top, and ends. However, openings may beprovided in its back for purposes of ventilation of motor 38 as depictedat in FIG. 14. Its open front enables it to fit over the motor and othercomponents in the power compartment 22. The end tabs 16a of the shell 16on opposite sides thereof enable it to be connected to main supportframe 14 as by screws or other suitable fasteners after the tabs 16ahave been extended through vertical slots 50 of frame 14 shown in FIG.7. Grid 16b, previously mentioned, in the top of shell 16 aligns withthe exhaust outlet of motor 38 (not shown). Motor 38 is electricallypowered through wiring 54 of conventional type as shown in FIGS. 5 and13, using electrical on-off switch 56, the actuator 56' of whichprojects upwardly through an opening 57 provided in the front powercompartment cover shell 18. Wiring 54 extends through a suitable openingin shell 16 shown in FIGS. 8 and 14 for wiring into the buildingelectrical. circuit.

Receptacle compartment 24 receives an air permeable dirt receiving andcollecting bag 102 of the conventional type shown in FIG. 13 and havingan opening on its upper end for slidably fitting over the lower end 60'of a vertical conduit 60 generally in the power compartment portion ofthe apparatus and part of the conduit means to the hose receptacle 62,to be explained later. The receptacle bag 102 may be inserted intocompartment 24 by temporary removal of access door 20.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, door 20 has a pair of downwardly projectingtongues 20a on its lower edge 21 for insertion into a corresponding pairof spaced slots 14g on the lower edge 15 of element 14. The upperportion 33 of door 20 may be pivoted about the tongues 20a until thedoor projections 20b on the side edges 27 engage and fall into the frameslots 29 in the adjacent side portions 31 of flange 14b shown best inFIG. 13. No connectors or other equivalents need be employed to maintainthe door in its closed position. Removal of the door can be achievedsimply by prying the upper portion 33 loose from element 14 with thefinger-tips inserted in the detent 35 thereby pivoting the door outabout tongues 20a and then lifting it up to remove tongues 20a fromslots 14g.

With respect to the conduit means, conduit 60 extends verticallyupwardly from its lower outlet or end portion 60' in receptaclecompartment 24 through the opening 14j in the main support frame 14 andmay have an upwardly projecting portion 60a, best shown in FIGS. and 14,extending vertically out the top of rear shell 16 through opening 17therein (FIG. 8) for connection to a remote vacuum conduit and auxiliaryhose receptacle (not shown) placed at a desired location in anotheradjacent or upstairs room. If the upwardly projecting portion 60a is notused, a suitable cap 70 may be placed thereon to close and seal thisconduit off. A portion of conduit 60 also extends forwardly and thencedownwardly to a hose receptacle 62 shown in FIGS. 2, 10 and 15, locatedin the undersurface or bottom surface 18a of front cover shell 18. Ifconduit 60 includes upwardly projecting portion 60a, a suitabletee-connector 60b as shown in FIG. 10, may be used to provide theforward orientation, with a suitable L- shaped inlet 60c extending fromthe tee-connector 60b and changing direction so that its outer end isoriented downwardly toward the floor and in engagement with hosereceptacle 62. Since the entire unit 10 is normally mounted within a fewfeet from the floor, receptacle 62 is normally out of view to personswithin the room. Consequently, the unit would be viewed substantially asshown in FIG. 1, to be aesthetically attractive and practically flushwith the wall surface because the unit is recessed within the wall. Yet,use of the vacuum unit 10 is extremely simple since, as shown in FIG.10, by pivoting the spring-biased closure flap 62a on inlet receiver62d, using flange 62b, the resilient seal 62c will be pulled away frominlet receiver 62d of the hose receptacle so that the hose connector 80aof the hose assembly 80 shown in FIG. 1 will slidably fit into thefemale inlet receiver 62d.

Front power compartment cover shell 18 is removably connected over thishose receptacle and conduit means. Specifically as shown in FIGS. 4 and14, front cover shell 18 has tabs 18b along its upper edge 19 which areinserted upwardly into corresponding spaced slots 14h shown in FIGS. 7and 14 in the upper edge 13 of the support frame 14 while the lower end11 of the cover shell 18 is positioned outwardly at an angle as depictedin FIG. 13. The lower end 11 is then arcuately pivoted toward frame 14,causing actuator 56 to project through its opening 57 in the cover shell18, and with the downwardly facing undersurface or bottom surface 18a ofthe cover being temporarily deformed downwardly by finger pressure toenable it to project around hose receptacle 62. Receptacle 62 thereafterprojects through hose receptacle opening 180 in the bottom surface 18aas shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. Suitable fasteners 82 as shown in FIGS. 3and 13 may be employed to secure lower end 1 l of cover shell 18 tobosses l4i of frame 14 shown in FIGS. 5 and 10.

Operation of the wall mounted vacuum cleaner comprising this inventionwill be readily apparent from the detailed description given above.Briefly, access door 20 is temporarily removed and a dirt receptacle bag102 is inserted into chamber with the mouth of the bag being slipped upover the lower discharge end portion 60 of conduit 60. Then door 20 isreplaced. Hose connector 80a of the hose assembly 80 of conventionaltype is inserted into hose receptacle 62, after pivoting flap 62a intoits open position illustrated in FIG. 2. Switch actuator 56' is thenshifted to initiate motor operation. Motor 38 powers vacuum pump 40which, through its communication to chamber 25, draws air from thechamber through grill 14c through the pump, thence through motor 38, tothe discharge of the motor and out upper grill 16b in rear cover shell16. This, of

course, causes a negative pressure at conduit outlet 60, to cause air tobe drawn through hose 80, thence through hose connector a and receptacle62, inlet 60c, tee-connector 60b, and conduit 60, thereby drawingdirt-laden air into the dirt receptacle bag 102 connected to end portion60.

Having made reference to the operation of the wall mounted vacuumcleaner unit comprising this invention, reference is now madeparticularly to the cleaner unit 10 and its manner of installation asdepicted in FIGS. 13 through 16. The unit 10 as shown in these figuresis substantially similar to that of the previous figures, except thereare various changes in design and contour. However, the principle ofoperation as well as associated parts are substantially identical withrespect to their general form and function.

It should be noted that the access door 20 when placed in its closedposition with the projections 20b within their corresponding slos 29,the door 20 must provide some hermetic sealing of the opening intochamber 25. This is accomplished by means of providing on the mainsupport frame 14 the outwardly disposed flange which mates with acorresponding closed loop groove or U-shaped flange provided on theinside surface 91 of the access door 20 into which is received aresilient gasket member 92 to provide for hermetic sealing of thereceptacle compartment 24 upon engagement of the flange 90 against theresilient gasket member 92. Obviously, the flange 90 could be placedalong the inside surface 91 of the access door while the correspondinggroove and resilient gasket member 92 would be placed around theperimeter of the opening into chamber 25 in order to accomplish theidentical hermetic sealing effect.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15 where there is shown in cross section adetailed arrangement of hose connector 80a inserted within hosereceptacle 62. It will be noted that there is a snug or tight fitengagement with regard to the downward depending hose connector 800within the framework of the conduit inlet 60c which is also disposed ina downward position toward the floor. The close tolerance between thesetwo pieces insures secure engagement of the hose connector 80a in thehose receptacle 62 as well as providing for good sealing engagement.

As in the case of FIG. 10, the hose receptacle 62 shown here is providedwith a spring biased flap 62a having a forward flange 62b for prying theflap open. The flap 62a is pivotally secured at 93 to the base plate 94and a conventional spring is provided at the point of pivoting to causethe flap 62a to move in the direction of arrow 95 to its closed positioncovering the inlet receiver 62d.

As compared to the structure shown in FIG. 10, it should be noted thatthe flap 62 in FIG. 15 has on its under surface 96 the outwardlyextended projection 97 to engage under the annular ridge 98 integral tothe hose connector 80a. Thus, the biasing pressure of the flap 62acauses the projection 97 to engage the underside surface of the annularridge 98 to help maintain and insure that the hose-connector 80a willremain in its secured position within the conduit inlet 60c.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14 and 16 wherein there is shown themounting frame 103 which comprises two identical frame sides 104, whichas shown are angle irons. The frame sides 104 are secured in parallelrelation by means of the identical end brackets 105 by any suitablemeans such as by fasteners in the form of a rivet indicated at 106. Itshould be noted that the frame sides 104 are provided with a pluralityof identically spaced slots, one set of slots being provided in thefront face 106 of each frame side 104 and another set of slots beingprovided in the side face 107 of each of the frame sides 104. The slots108 in the front face 106 of each of the frame sides 104 are elongatedslots, their longitudinal extent being in the vertical direction. On theother hand, the slots 110 in the side faces 107 of each of the framesides 104 are elongated with their longitudinal extent in a horizontaldirection. Also, final securement holes 111 are provided in each of theside faces 107, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

The manner of installing the wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit is arelatively simple task because of the employment of the mounting frame103 and particularly with the provision of the elongated slots 108 and110 in the front faces 106 and in the side faces 107, respectively, ofthe frame sides 104. In this connection, the unique manner and method ofinstalling the unit 10 is accomplished as follows in an existingbuilding structure.

As shown in FIG. 16, an opening 112 is prepared in the wall 113 ofsufficient size to receive the rearward portions of the unit 10 with theperipheral flange 14b covering the entire opening 112. In order toinsure complete coverage of the wall opening 112 as well as properalignment of the mounting frame 103 relative to the unit 10,particularly the main support frame 14, the mounting frame 103 may betemporarily mounted to the main support frame 14 by means of employingfasteners through the openings 34 in the peripheral flange 14b, whichfasteners extend through each of the elongated slots 108 wherein thefasteners are properly secured with corresponding fastening devices.Thus, the mounting frame 103 may be relatively adjusted upwardly ordownwardly relative to the main support frame peripheral flange 14b asindicated by the arrow 114 in FIG. 14 to insure proper opening coverageas well as proper alignment between the respective frames.

The mounting frame 103 is then by itself mounted within the opening 112wherein one side frame 104 is fastened to the stud 115 while the otherframe side 104 is fastened to the stud 116 by use of the shims 117 inorder to dimensionally match the mounting frame 103. In securing themounting frame 103 within the opening 112 to the studs as disclosed inFIG. 16, it should be noted that fasteners such as ordinary nails may beapplied through the openings 110 in the side faces 107. However, thesenails are not completely set into the studs their full extent in orderto allow adjustment of the mounting frame within the wall opening 112 asindicated by arrow 118 in FIG. 6 to compensate for wall thicknessindicated by the arrow 119 in FIG. 16 and also insure flush engagementof the rear surfaces of the peripheral flange 14b of the main supportframe 14 relative to the wall surface upon final installation.

The mounting frame 103 can then be finally secured in position with theuse of fasteners, such as screws or nails, as applied through theopenings 111 in the side faces 107 of the frame sides 104. Also, anyfurther adjustment of the mounting frame 103 relative to the mainsupport frame 14 can be accomplished by adjusting the securing fastenersalong the length of the elongated slots 108 if necessary.

After the unit is installed, the front cover shell 18 can be removed forpurposes of connecting the wiring 54.

While other wall mounted vacuum cleaner units of the prior art mayprovidefor an exhaust conduit relative to the exhaust from motor 38,unit 10 of the present inventionmerely provides for the motor exhaust tobe expelled through the grid 16b into the inner chambers of the wallstructure of the building. In this connection, one or more openings 120can be provided in the floor plate 128 (or in the ceiling plate) of thewall chamber to permitthe exhaust air to escape into other various wallchambers of the building structure or to escape into an attic, basementor other crawl space. In any event, if desirable, an exhaust conduitvent can be provided for connection at the point of the exhaust grid16b.

From the foregoing, it can readily be seen that a wall mounted vacuumcleaner unit is provided which is not only aesthetically attractive, butalso minimizes to a greater extent the wear imposed on the hose assemblyattached to the hose receptacle of such units while making it easier forthe user to manipulate the hose as sembly by having the hose connectorand the connected hose directed from the hose receptacle immediately tothe floor so that there is no substantial weight or force either due tothe weight of the hose or the force that is applied by the user in usingthe hose assembly during cleaning purposes as compared in the case wheresuch receptacles are flush with the wall with the hose connectorextending horizontally therefrom and out into the room and, thus,rendering it an obstruction. Also, it should be appreciated that thevacuum cleaner unit is not only compact but also is provided with aminimum of assembly involving largely only four pieces which arereleasably connected to gether in a quick and simple fashion to simplifymanufacture and later inspection and repair.

The foregoing description, of course, sets forth the preferredembodiment of this invention, and in order to do so, specificterminology must be employed. In this connection, it should be notedthat when using specific terminology in describing the preferredembodiment, it is intended only in the generic or descriptive sense andnot for any purpose of limiting the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims.

I claim:

1. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising a multi-piece assemblyconsisting of a main support frame havingan integral lower rearwardlyprojecting cover shell defining a front opening to form a receptaclecompartment and having a peripheral flange for flush engagement with awall surface having an opening into which said unit is inserted, anoutwardly protruding front cover shell mounted on said frame and havinga downwardly oriented bottom surface extending forwardly beyond theplane of said peripheral flange, a hose receptacle mounted in saidbottom surface, a rearwardly protruding rear cover shell mounted on saidframe in opposite and opposed relation to said front cover shell, saidfront and rear cover shells forming a vacuum power compartment, and. afront access door for hermetically sealed engagement with saidreceptacle compartment opening.

2. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized byconduit means in said power compartment with its tubular ends incommunication with said receptacle compartment and said hose receptacle,respectively.

3. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 2 characterized by anL-shaped inlet included in said conduit means, one end of which extendsdownwardly for communication with said hose receptacle.

4. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized in thatsaid front cover shell bottom surface is in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said main support frame periphery flange.

5. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized by anoutwardly disposed flange for the length of the perimetral edge of saidreceptacle compartment opening, a corresponding closed loop groove onthe inside surface of said access door, a resilient gasket member insaid groove to provide for hermetic sealing of said receptaclecompartment upon engagement with said outwardly disposed flange.

6. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 5 characterized in thatsaid gasket comprises a tubular resilient material.

7. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 5 characterized in thatsaid groove and gasket are provided on said receptacle compartmentopening perimetral edge whereas said outwardly disposed flange isprovided on said access door inside surface.

8. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized by apair of tongues on the bottom edge of said access door, a pair ofcorresponding slots in the bottom portion of said main support frameperipheral flange to receive said tongues, and an outwardly extendedprojection on opposite sides of said access door, corresponding slots inthe side portions of said main support frame peripheral flange toreceive said projections to releasably engage said door relative to saidreceptacle compartment opening.

9. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized in thatsaid front and rear cover shells are fastened to said main support frameby means of cooperative extended tabs and slots respectively on saidshells and said frame and secured into position with fastening means.

10. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 9 characterized by theprovision of fasteners to releasably secure said shells to said mainsupport frame.

11. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized inthat said front and rear cover shells are provided with extended tabs tosecure said cover shells to said main frame support through the aid offastening means.

12. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized by amounting frame to which said main support frame is secured, saidmounting frame including two frame sides, each having a front face and aside face, a plurality of elongated slots provided in said faces,fastening means for securing said main support frame to said mountingframe and for mounting said mounting frame to said wall through saidelongated slots, said elongated slots to permit initial selectivedirectional adjustment and orientation when mounting said mounting framein an opening in a wall and when securing said main support frame tosaid mounting frame.

13. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 12 characterized inthat said plurality of slots in said side faces are elongated in ahorizontal direction to permit inward and outward initial adjustment ofsaid mounting frame relative to the surface of the wall and saidplurality of slots in said front faces are elongated in a verticaldirection to permit upward and downward initial adjustment of said mainsupport frame relative to said mounting frame.

14. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising a housing meansforming a receptacle compartment and a power compartment and including afront cover shell for said power compartment and an access door for saidreceptacle compartment, said front cover shell projecting outwardlyforming a downwardly oriented bottom surface, a hose receptacle mountedin said bottom surface and not normally visible when said unit ismounted into a wall since said bottom surface is below eye level, motorand vacuum pump means in said power compartment communicant with saidreceptacle compartment, and conduit means having one end portioncommunicant with said receptacle compartment and its other end portiondisposed downwardly within said front cover shell and communicant withsaid hose receptacle.

15. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 14 characterized inthat said conduit means includes a vertical section in said powercompartment with its lower end portion communicant with said receptaclecompartment, and an L-shaped section in said power compartment havingone end connected directly into said vertical section and its other enddisposed downwardly to be communicant with said hose receptacle.

16. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 15 characterized inthat the upper end portion of said vertical section extends upwardlybeyond the point of connection of said L-shaped section and out of saidpower compartment.

17. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 14 characterized inthat said hose receptacle includes a female inlet, a male hose connectorof a hose assembly receivable in said female inlet, said hose connectorhaving an annular ridge on its forward end portion, a spring biased flappivotally secured to said inlet adapted to close said inlet, anoutwardly extended projection on the underside surface of said flap toengage under said hose connector annular ridge upon insertion of saidhose connector into said inlet.

18. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 14 characterized by abatting positioned at the point of communication between said motor andvacuum pump and said receptacle compartment.

19. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising: housing means forminga receptacle compartment and a power compartment; said housing meansincluding a front cover shell over said power compartment, and an accessdoor over said receptacle compartment; said front cover shell projectingoutwardly and having a downwardly oriented underside surface defining ahose receptacle not normally visible when said unit is mounted into awall since said bottom surface is below eye level; motor and vacuum pumpmeans in said power compartment communicant with said receptaclecompartment; and conduit means having a main generally vertical portionand a portion communicant with said receptacle compartment and having acommunicating generally L-shaped inlet end at said hose receptacle.

20. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising: housing means forminga lower receptacle compartment and an upper power compartment, saidhousing means being composed of a main support member, a rear powercompartment cover shell, a front power compartment cover shell, and areceptacle compartment access door; said main support member having aperipheral wall engagement frame and a lower rear cover shell enclosingthe back of said receptacle compartment; said rear power compartmentshall being secured to said main support member above said lower rearcover shell; said front power compartment shell being secured to saidmain support in a position opposite said rear power compartment shelland projecting outwardly from the plane of said support members therebydefining a downwardly oriented underside surface, a hose receptacle insaid underside surface, said door being releasably connected to saidmain support member below said front power compartment shell andopposite said main support lower rear shell; motor and vacuum pump meansin said power compartment, the latter having an air inlet communicantwith said receptacle compartment; conduit means in said powercompartment having a main generally vertical portion and having onecommunicating generally L-shaped portion extending peripherally beyondthe remainder of said housing means to enable said rear powercompartment shell and said lower rear shell to be behind a wall and toenable said front power compartment shell and said access door to be infront of the wall, when said unit is mounted.

1. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising a multi-piece assemblyconsisting of a main support frame having an integral lower rearwardlyprojecting cover shell defining a front opening to form a receptaclecompartment and having a peripheral flange for flush engagement with awall surface having an opening into which said unit is inserted, anoutwardly protruding front cover shell mounted on said frame and havinga downwardly oriented bottom surface extending forwardly beyond theplane of said peripheral flange, a hose receptacle mounted in saidbottom surface, a rearwardly protruding rear cover shell mounted on saidframe in opposite and opposed relation to said front cover shell, saidfront and rear cover shells fOrming a vacuum power compartment, and afront access door for hermetically sealed engagement with saidreceptacle compartment opening.
 2. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unitof claim 1 characterized by conduit means in said power compartment withits tubular ends in communication with said receptacle compartment andsaid hose receptacle, respectively.
 3. The wall mounted vacuum cleanerunit of claim 2 characterized by an L-shaped inlet included in saidconduit means, one end of which extends downwardly for communicationwith said hose receptacle.
 4. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit ofclaim 1 characterized in that said front cover shell bottom surface isin a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said main supportframe periphery flange.
 5. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim1 characterized by an outwardly disposed flange for the length of theperimetral edge of said receptacle compartment opening, a correspondingclosed loop groove on the inside surface of said access door, aresilient gasket member in said groove to provide for hermetic sealingof said receptacle compartment upon engagement with said outwardlydisposed flange.
 6. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 5characterized in that said gasket comprises a tubular resilientmaterial.
 7. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 5characterized in that said groove and gasket are provided on saidreceptacle compartment opening perimetral edge whereas said outwardlydisposed flange is provided on said access door inside surface.
 8. Thewall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized by a pair oftongues on the bottom edge of said access door, a pair of correspondingslots in the bottom portion of said main support frame peripheral flangeto receive said tongues, and an outwardly extended projection onopposite sides of said access door, corresponding slots in the sideportions of said main support frame peripheral flange to receive saidprojections to releasably engage said door relative to said receptaclecompartment opening.
 9. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 1characterized in that said front and rear cover shells are fastened tosaid main support frame by means of cooperative extended tabs and slotsrespectively on said shells and said frame and secured into positionwith fastening means.
 10. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim9 characterized by the provision of fasteners to releasably secure saidshells to said main support frame.
 11. The wall mounted vacuum cleanerunit of claim 1 characterized in that said front and rear cover shellsare provided with extended tabs to secure said cover shells to said mainframe support through the aid of fastening means.
 12. The wall mountedvacuum cleaner unit of claim 1 characterized by a mounting frame towhich said main support frame is secured, said mounting frame includingtwo frame sides, each having a front face and a side face, a pluralityof elongated slots provided in said faces, fastening means for securingsaid main support frame to said mounting frame and for mounting saidmounting frame to said wall through said elongated slots, said elongatedslots to permit initial selective directional adjustment and orientationwhen mounting said mounting frame in an opening in a wall and whensecuring said main support frame to said mounting frame.
 13. The wallmounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 12 characterized in that saidplurality of slots in said side faces are elongated in a horizontaldirection to permit inward and outward initial adjustment of saidmounting frame relative to the surface of the wall and said plurality ofslots in said front faces are elongated in a vertical direction topermit upward and downward initial adjustment of said main support framerelative to said mounting frame.
 14. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unitcomprising a housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a powercompartment and including a froNt cover shell for said power compartmentand an access door for said receptacle compartment, said front covershell projecting outwardly forming a downwardly oriented bottom surface,a hose receptacle mounted in said bottom surface and not normallyvisible when said unit is mounted into a wall since said bottom surfaceis below eye level, motor and vacuum pump means in said powercompartment communicant with said receptacle compartment, and conduitmeans having one end portion communicant with said receptaclecompartment and its other end portion disposed downwardly within saidfront cover shell and communicant with said hose receptacle.
 15. Thewall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 14 characterized in that saidconduit means includes a vertical section in said power compartment withits lower end portion communicant with said receptacle compartment, andan L-shaped section in said power compartment having one end connecteddirectly into said vertical section and its other end disposeddownwardly to be communicant with said hose receptacle.
 16. The wallmounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 15 characterized in that the upperend portion of said vertical section extends upwardly beyond the pointof connection of said L-shaped section and out of said powercompartment.
 17. The wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit of claim 14characterized in that said hose receptacle includes a female inlet, amale hose connector of a hose assembly receivable in said female inlet,said hose connector having an annular ridge on its forward end portion,a spring biased flap pivotally secured to said inlet adapted to closesaid inlet, an outwardly extended projection on the underside surface ofsaid flap to engage under said hose connector annular ridge uponinsertion of said hose connector into said inlet.
 18. The wall mountedvacuum cleaner unit of claim 14 characterized by a batting positioned atthe point of communication between said motor and vacuum pump and saidreceptacle compartment.
 19. A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unitcomprising: housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a powercompartment; said housing means including a front cover shell over saidpower compartment, and an access door over said receptacle compartment;said front cover shell projecting outwardly and having a downwardlyoriented underside surface defining a hose receptacle not normallyvisible when said unit is mounted into a wall since said bottom surfaceis below eye level; motor and vacuum pump means in said powercompartment communicant with said receptacle compartment; and conduitmeans having a main generally vertical portion and a portion communicantwith said receptacle compartment and having a communicating generallyL-shaped inlet end at said hose receptacle.
 20. A wall mounted vacuumcleaner unit comprising: housing means forming a lower receptaclecompartment and an upper power compartment, said housing means beingcomposed of a main support member, a rear power compartment cover shell,a front power compartment cover shell, and a receptacle compartmentaccess door; said main support member having a peripheral wallengagement frame and a lower rear cover shell enclosing the back of saidreceptacle compartment; said rear power compartment shall being securedto said main support member above said lower rear cover shell; saidfront power compartment shell being secured to said main support in aposition opposite said rear power compartment shell and projectingoutwardly from the plane of said support members thereby defining adownwardly oriented underside surface, a hose receptacle in saidunderside surface, said door being releasably connected to said mainsupport member below said front power compartment shell and oppositesaid main support lower rear shell; motor and vacuum pump means in saidpower compartment, the latter having an air inlet communicant with saidreceptacle compartment; conduit means in said power compartment having amain generally vertical portiOn and having one communicating generallyL-shaped portion extending peripherally beyond the remainder of saidhousing means to enable said rear power compartment shell and said lowerrear shell to be behind a wall and to enable said front powercompartment shell and said access door to be in front of the wall, whensaid unit is mounted.